On January 21, Gurudev Hardev reached Bombay to bless the Annual Samagam of Maharashtra.

During this Samagam, Nirankari Rajmata Ji and Pujya Mata Ji also gave their blessings to the devotees in abundance.  The Samagam took place on January 22 and 23.  Thousands of Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi, Sindhi and Punjabi speaking Mahapurushas took part in it.  The most prominent feature of this Samagam was that it was attended by a large number of devotees from Punjab and Delhi also.  The saints who spoke thoroughly enjoyed each other's language.  Right till the end of the Samagam, nobody's face showed any sign that one did not understand the feelings expressed by the other even though Marathi, Gujarati and Punjabi Mahapurushas came in their traditional costumes and expressed themselves in their own respective language.  At the convergence of so many divergent languages, some saints were heard observing that the Samagam was another form of 'Vividh Bharati'.

During his discourse, Gurudev Hardev stressed upon the following few points: -

Out of ignorance man today feels that he will get happiness from material objects.  In reality, happiness does not come from these objects.  Yes, for sometime we do get deluded by this feeling.

Man today is stuck in the clutches of pride.  He feels proud of perishable possessions and indulges in animosity, hatred and jealousy. 

Desires and cravings have never been fulfilled by anyone, nor is there any possibility that they will ever be fulfilled in future.

The only way to get rid of the clutches of desires for material objects is that we should link ourselves with the Almighty God who is free from all this.

After the conclusion of the Samagam, Gurudev Hardev reached the Nirankari Satsang Bhawan in Chambur and found that some police officials and representatives of newspapers were waiting for him.  They greeted Gurudev Hardev and congratulated His Holiness on the peaceful conclusion of the Samagam.  One of the newspaper reporters walked upto Gurudev and said, "Baba Ji, I carefully heard all the three discourses that you delivered during the last two days.  I am happy to note that you are bringing a new awakening in the spiritual world, but I am surprised too at the fact that you did not utter a single word about the present incidents of violence against you."

Before Gurudev would give an answer, a reporter from another newspaper interrupted by saying, "I think they are God-fearing people.  Therefore, they would not like to discuss any thing other than religion."

The first reporter said again, ''In fact, I feel that they do not discuss those incidents because they fear that this may create more trouble."

I must admire Gurudev, who kept on standing and listening to all this rather a smile.   When they became quiet, Gurudev spoke in his normal style and said, "It is quite natural for such feelings to arise in your mind.  People today would favour violence to be responded by greater violence but the saintly-minded people have never followed such a policy.  The teachings of the saints have always been that we should wish well even for those who are unkind to us.  Instead of digging into it, evil should be buried at the earliest.  By referring to the evil deeds, we get nothing but giving them importance.  Even otherwise we are of the opinion that it is not our job to suppress the evil acts of violence, it is the duty of the authorities who are responsible to maintain law and order in the country.  You can see that the police officers and Jawans are performing their duty firmly.  We are of the view that the saints should do their work as saints while Government may look after the work that belongs to the Government."

On hearing these words, the Jawans as well as officers of the Police bowed and appealed, "Baba Ji, bless us so that we are able to perform our duty with a sense of dedication and truthfulness."   Gurudev proceeded towards his room.

The same night, Satsang Bhawan was crowded by people desirous of having Baba Ji's holy glimpse.  Suddenly, the crowd turned into a formal congregation.  When Gurudev, Mata Ji and Nirankari Rajmata Ji were approaching the dais, the whole atmosphere was resounding with slogans hailing them.  The artistic presentations by the saints from Bombay earned them lot of blessings from Gurudev.  The speakers who addressed the gathering said one after the other that two days was too short a time for the Samagam in Bombay and appealed to Baba Ji to increase the duration to three days, just like the Samagam in Delhi. 

With Baba Ji�s blessings this last programme of the Samagam too concluded in an atmosphere filled with joy.

The next day i.e., on January 24, Satgurudev left Bombay and reached Baroda in the afternoon, along with his entourage.  A majority of saints here are Gujaratis.  The arrangements for the halt at night had been made here itself.  The Satsang programme was organised next day in the morning in the compound of the Satsang Bhawan of Baroda.  Satgurudev stated here:

All of you present here are spiritually enlightened.  Those who have attained God-knowledge are quite sensible.  They do not indulge in any action that may bring them into clash with the world.   Saints see their own welfare in the welfare of all.  They do not feel jealous or frown at others' progress; rather on seeing others happy, they pray to God to bless them also with happiness the way He has blessed others.

Saints remain happy with whatever the Almighty has given them.  They do not complain under any circumstances.  The disciples, who always turn their face towards the Master feel happy to glorify the Master as well as the fellow-disciples.  The feelings of hatred or slandering others cannot even enter their minds.  The life of a disciple is detached and untainted.  With the example of his own pure life, a disciple succeeds in making this world also clean and virtuous.

Gurudev Hardev reached Ahmedabad in the evening, blessing the devotees at Mahoda en-route.  A large number of saints had been waiting for their Satguru since long.  The hall as well as the compound of the Satsang Bhawan was over-crowded with devotees.  While speaking there, Satgurudev said:

Saints are always humble and modest.  They are always eager and full of desire to learn.  But those who start considering themselves as perfect, their growth comes to a halt.

While taking a stroll at night, the local Pramukh, Rev. Bhai Sahib Ghanshyam Das Ji very humbly appealed to Gurudev, "Baba Ji, Ahmedabad is almost the biggest town of Gujarat but I do not know why the number of Gujarati families in our Sangat is not increasing beyond the 20 or 25 who have been there since beginning while the number of Sindhi families and those coming from Uttar Pradesh is constantly increasing.  Kindly shower your benign blessings so that the Gujarati people from this big city of Gujarat too come forward in large numbers and serve you with full enthusiasm.  In a somber manner Gurudev said, "Your desire will definitely be fulfilled but for that you will have to step out of your own boundary.  You can make somebody your own only by becoming his own.  You must keep on visiting Gujarati families, take pleasure in sharing their food, their culture.  You may attend their functions like marriage ceremonies performed according to their own customs and help them also in every possible manner.  God will definitely fullfil this selfless desire of yours sooner or later."

With these words, Gurudev proceeded towards his room to take rest.

Rev. Ghanshaym Das Ji turned towards me and said, "Baba Ji has said something extremely significant in just a few words.  Please pray for us so that we are able to follow this lead provided by Satguru and give it a practical shape."

The next day, i.e., on January 26 1983, Gurudev left for Gandhi Dham where a congregation had been organised in the evening.  During this long journey, Pujya Mata Ji once again asked some questions very frankly.  One of these was: "Baba Ji, in every discourse you have been stressing upon one thing that material objects are not a source of happiness.  I can not really understand this because all of us are constantly using every material object and taking advantage of all kinds of comforts of life.  If they are not a source of happiness then we should also leave them and start living in forests."

Gurudev leaned back in his seat, left his body loose and closed his eyes, without giving any answer to the question.  Pujya Mata Ji looked at Gurudev and said, "Why are you quiet?  Why don�t you answer my question?"

I could not hold myself. Very humbly I submitted, "Mata Ji, when did Baba Ji say that we should not use the material objects?  His Holiness only says that these objects are meant only for our sustenance.  They can not give us the ever-lasting happiness."

Mata Ji said, "Shastri Ji, I have not asked the question from you.  I have asked Baba Ji.  I will not be satisfied till he himself gives the answer."

Gurudev broke his silence and said, "Shastri Ji has already given the answer to your question."  After this he became quiet for some time and then added, "Look, great scientists have invented many objects from time to time which have made our life in this world very comfortable.  It is not a sin to make use of these comforts, but we must remember at the same time that along with happiness, they cause miseries also.  You know it well that we have a good car, we get a comfortable place to stay and sumptuous food to eat wherever we go.  But the moment the feelings of anger or animosity arise in our mind, or we start experiencing hatred or envy towards others or some disease attacks our body, then we become restless despite the fact that these objects are very much there.  That is why all the saints and sages have always believed that these worldly objects give only momentary happiness; they can not give the true and everlasting bliss.  I am also stressing only this fact that we may not get engrossed in these objects.  Our soul too needs a home as also the nourishment just like our body.   Till the time our soul does not find its abode, does not receive the nourishment it needs, it cannot find peace merely from these material goods."

Pujya Mata Ji said, "You are right.  Perhaps I was failing to understand earlier what you were saying." With these words, both of them closed their eyes and started dozing..

Looking at them I was wondering what kind of people they were!  They had a wrangling a short while ago and now suddenly they were asleep as if nothing had happened.  People like us go on pressing their argument.  We always wish to establish as to who has won and who has lost.  And in this way we are unable to sleep properly.  While pondering over this, I arrived at the conclusion that this is what distinguishes the saints and seers from others.  They listen to everything, they do or get done everything and then they remain unperturbed.  Their minds carry no sign or impact of these things.

As we reached Gandhi Dham in the evening, we found that devotees had already assembled there.  Satgurudev stated in his discourse here:

We must always remember God for His innumerable acts of kindness and the objects He has bestowed to make our life happy and blissful.

To explain this, Gurudev said:

The Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Earth, the Water, the Fire etc. have been created to make the journey of life for us, the living beings, comfortable.  Let us remember that there is no greater a sin than to forget the Giver and to get engrossed in the gifts only.  We must make use of the gifts with a sense of gratitude to the One who has given us the same.  We may not make the mistake which the children usually make.  Parents bring toys and give them to the children so that they feel delighted.  So, the children do not commit a sin if they play with the toys.   But if the children get so engrossed in the toys that they ignore their parents or do not bother about them, then we cannot praise them.  In the same manner there cannot be a bigger offence than getting lost in the objects and forget the One who has given them to us.

The next day, Satgurudev started from Gandhi Dham at 7 a.m. and reached Jamnagar at 2 O�clock in the afternoon.  A congregation had been organised in the Nirankari Bhawan.  Speaking there, Satgurudev said:

Saints must always endeavour to provide happiness to this sorrowful world.  The life of the saints is meant for the welfare of others.

Starting from Jamnagar at 6 p.m., Satgurudev reached Rajkot at 8 O� clock in the night.  The majority of devotees here are Sindhis.  Addressing a congregation in an open ground here, Satgurudev stated:

We can rise above the feelings of discrimination only after realising the true meaning of religion.  Religion creates no walls of any kind.

The next day, Satgurudev left Rajkot in the morning and reached Godhra.  Addressing a large number of Gujarati and Sindhi devotees in a big hall of a Dharmshala, Satgurudev stated:  

In order to make progress in life, it is extremely essential to renounce pride.   Pride gives birth to hatred. It destroys love.  Happiness lies only in love.  Hatred and malice produce misery alone.

The next morning, starting from Godhra, Satgurudev reached Dohad after blessing devotees in a village en-route.  A huge congregation had been organised here in Village Nagrela, a few kilometers away from the town.  The entire village thronged to have Baba Ji's holy glimpse.  In his discourse here, Satgurudev said:

Life does not get salvaged merely by reading the words of spiritual masters.  We must adopt them, act upon them.

As Gurudev Hardev sat in his car to proceed towards the venue where food had been arranged, I saw two eminent Pracharaks of Dohad - Kanhiya Lal Ji and Charan Raj Ji, appealing to His Holiness, "Baba Ji, please bless the soil of Gujarat with your holy presence more often.  There is no dearth of devotees in Gujarat.  They already have a firm belief in devotion towards Satguru as well as God.  But Gujarati people are generally entangled in rites and rituals... ..." They wanted to say something more but were interrupted by Pujya Mata Ji who said, "You come to the place where we are having our food.  There you can say whatever you want to say."  And the car moved towards the place.

Before Baba Ji�s departure for Indore, both the saints got a chance to make their submission.  Continuing with their earlier submission, they said, "Baba Ji, earlier when we condemned the rites and rituals, nobody challenged us.  But these days nobody allows us to speak (against them) openly.  Before you leave, kindly give us the right direction and tell us what we should do."

As is his simple nature, Gurudev stated, "We never believed in condemning rites and rituals earlier, nor do we consider it a means of propagation today.  Even earlier, we believed that we should give up the misleading rites and rituals, know the all-pervading and omnipresent God and then contemplate and worship Him alone.  You may continue to preach this, but not utter a word which might hurt someone's feelings."

On January 29, 1983, Gurudev Hardev proceeded towards Indore along with his entourage and reached there at night.  The next day, a congregation had been organised in a big hall situated in a busy market.  The hall was full to its capacity.  Some innocent people had been instigated by mischievous elements and sent with the aim of disrupting the Satsang programme.  But when the Police and the organizers persuaded them to sit in the congregation and listen to the views of Mahapurushas, they too were later seen standing with other devotees in the queue to pay their obeisance to Baba Ji.  Thereafter they seated themselves in a corner at the back and listened intently to the holy words of Gurudev Hardev. His Holiness said on this occasion:

All that makes life happy is attained by the grace of the company of saints.  The more we attend the congregation, the more our life gets enriched with saintly qualities.  Our heart starts imbibing love and humility which are the source of happiness of all kinds.

It is by the grace of God that we get an opportunity to meet saints and listen to their words.  Our mind gets illumined in such a way that we start beholding the image of God in each and every person.   This makes us realize that none is an enemy nor a stranger to us.  When the whole universe bears the glow of the same divine light, its supreme source, then how do we discriminate as to who is good or bad?

After the conclusion of the programme, unmindfully I walked up to those gentlemen who were still standing there.  I humbly suggested to them that if they wanted, they could meet Baba Ji personally and talk with him.  All of them said in one voice that they were extremely fortunate to have listened to Baba Ji.  His words have opened our eyes. Now we cherish no doubt about you (the Mission) and Baba Ji in our minds.  Thus speaking and after touching Baba Ji's holy feet once again, they returned happily to their respective homes.

From Indore, Gurudev reached Bairagarh (Bhopal) in the evening. A huge congregation had been organised there in an open ground.  Sindhi families were seen approaching the Samagam venue in groups at a fast pace to secure a seating place for themselves in front.  As a result the atmosphere of the congregation was not becoming peaceful.  But the moment Baba Ji arrived, everybody became quiet.   In fact devotees were more keen to touch Baba Ji's holy feet.  The moment Gurudev took his seat, they started coming in queues from both sides to pay their obeisance and obtain the benign blessings of His Holiness.  The whole atmosphere began resounding with the devotional songs in Sindhi and Hindi languages.

On this occasion Gurudev said:

All of you are extremely lucky as you are enjoying the bliss of devotion while leading a family life and fulfilling your worldly duties.  Out of ignorance some people consider running away from home and living in forests as an essential pre-requisite for devotion to God even though they are well aware of the fact that Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Guru Sahiban from Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and other holy personages lived a householder's life themselves and taught us to remain devoted to God while staying at home.

Gurudev stated further:

We can not express our devotion to God until we know Him.  Therefore, God-knowledge is essential for devotion and it is impossible to attain God-knowledge without the grace of an enlightened saint.

From here Gurudev reached Bhopal and took rest for the night.  Next day, a huge congregation had been organised at the BHEL Colony of Bhopal.  Addressing the devotees there, Gurudev stated:

Saints always hold each other in high esteem.  They give importance to show respect to each other.  Even if inadvertently something happens which may hurt their feelings, they ignore the same and try their best to co-operate in spreading the True knowledge that they have received.  They remain firm in God-knowledge themselves and join in Sewa (service to others), Satsang (company of saints) and Simran (remembrance of God), wholeheartedly.  This is the only means to bring happiness in life.

From here Satgurudev reached Sagar.  No Satsang programme was scheduled here.  But while going to Jabalpur, he halted here at the insistence of the local saints and blessed the devotees with his holy glimpse.  Addressing them, he said:

The enthusiasm of all of you saints is commendable.  You must keep on marching forward with the same spirit so that there is peace and happiness in the world.

From Sagar, Satgurudev reached Jabalpur the same day and halted for the night.  A congregation was organized the next day in the morning at the local Sant Nirankari Satsang Bhawan.  A large number of Punjabis, Sindhis and natives of Madhya Pradesh had come to attend the congregation.  Gurudev said here:

Saints always keep faith in One - the Formless God.  They never bow before earthly powers, nor do they consider them as their support.  They lead their lives in an unattached manner, relying only upon this Formless God.

Gurudev added:

We must keep on trying to adopt the principles of the Mission and make them a part of our practical life.  These principles have the same value for the society, the country and the entire world.  For example, we must know One, believe One and love every one.  We must avoid the futile rites and rituals.  We must rid the society of its burden by having simple marriage ceremonies. We must also stay away from the vices like the use of intoxicants.  These are the principles for which Baba Gurbachan Singh Ji and other saints sacrificed their lives.  If we do not want their sacrifices to go waste, then we must value these principles more than our life and follow them at any cost.

From here Satgurudev reached Mandla.  This is the town where we had the court case following the Durg incident and the local saints had served generously all the Mahapurushas coming from outside in this connection, particularly those who were connected with the case directly or indirectly.  Gurudev Hardev was very happy with the service they had rendered.  Expressing his happiness, he stated:

The overwhelming spirit of service which all of you showed during the recent past, will definitely bear fruit.  You may keep on marching on the path of love and humility.

Continuing with his words, His Holiness said:

Saints worship the Formless One who is fearless and possesses no malice.  They, therefore, keep on following their principles without any fear or malice in their minds.  They do not get swayed from their path because of any pressure or fear.

His Holiness left Mandla and reached Bilaspur the same evening.  Here saints had also come from other towns in the area to have Baba Ji's holy glimpse.  Addressing the huge gathering in the vast compound of the Satsang Bhawan at night, His Holiness stated:

Saints do not ever fear any worldly power.  They consider only the Formless One as all-powerful and under His shelter they lead a fearless life.  So long as a disciple (Gursikh) possesses love and humility in his heart and remembers God, no worldly power can harm him or her.

Gurudev Hardev stressed upon this kind of firmness during his discourses in almost all the cities of Madhya Pradesh he visited.  These were the days when in Madhya Pradesh also saints were receiving constant threats to their life and property by some fanatic extremists.

Next day, Satgurudev started from Bilaspur in the morning and reached Burala, a town in Orissa.  It was quite a long journey.  The city is situated near the famous Hirakund Dam. A congregation had been scheduled there.  At that time there was only one Sindhi family of devotees of the Mission at that place.  There was a small park in front of their house which had probably not been cleaned for a long period of time.  The place was utterly rough and uneven.  Since the congregation was to be held in this park, it became necessary to clean it for the convenience of those who come to attend it.  So far no Sewa Dal had been set up there.  In fact, we realized the importance of Sewa Dal here.  Hitherto, wherever we went, we had always found the stage ready and the ground cleaned thanks to the cooperation of these young devotees.   The way we realize the value of electricity the moment it goes off, in the same manner we were realizing the absence of Sewa Dal that day.  But Baba Ji can dwell in anybody anywhere and get his work done.  The drivers, Gurudev�s personal attendants and singers, poets and Pracharak saints in the entourage, all joined hands and made the ground look like a bride within no time.  They made arrangements for electricity and installed loudspeakers like any professional electrician and imparted to the ground an atmosphere of a congregation.  We could see the art by Anurag Tanha here who made a special contribution towards decorating the ground.  How great is Gurudev himself and how great are his devotees who neither feel tired themselves nor let others feel tired!  They forsake their sleep so that others can sleep.  They work day and night to preach the Truth.

Before the congregation began, some eminent persons of the town and some senior officials came to see Baba Ji.  During their conversation they gave the impression that they were proud of what they were doing i.e., their good deeds.  Without realizing the meaning, they had uttered the words: "Baba Ji, our deeds should be good.  We should fulfill our duties sincerely and live within whatever we earn through our hard labour.  We feel that the one who leads his life in such a manner does not need God or His devotion."  Maybe, keeping these very words in his mind, Gurudev Hardev said during his discourse:

Whereas bad deeds become a bondage for man, good deeds too cause the same when the feeling of their doership and pride get associated with them.  These bondage can not be removed without God-knowledge.  The moment man receives God-knowledge, he realises that the only doer is the One - God.  So, in order to get salvaged from the cycle of life and death, one has to be free from bondages which means that one must know God and offer his devotion to Him.

Starting from Burala in the morning, His Holiness reached Bhubaneshwar, the famous city of Orissa, and took rest for the night at Rev. Jagdish Ji's house.  Next day, the regional Sant Samagam of Orissa was celebrated in a big hall in front of the Cuttack Railway Station.  His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj and Rev. Rajmata Kulwant Kaur Ji graced the occasion with their holy presence and blessed the devotees.  The local people gave Baba Ji a traditional welcome by blowing conch shells, shouting slogans (Jaighosh), showering flowers and performing 'Aarti' (moving lighted lamps).  Even those who were unfamiliar with Oriya could understand easily the feelings of love and happiness being expressed by the devotees. Addressing the huge gathering here Satgurudev said:

Devotees always live their lives while relying on the sole support of the Almighty.  They do not consider worldly objects as their reliance.  Even otherwise, these worldly objects are governed by change.  Only this Formless One is immutable, firm and immoveable.  By taking the support of this Formless One, we too become equi-poised and firm.   By linking with Him alone, we get all kinds of happiness.

The enthusiasm, dedication and hard work of Rev. Giani Ji, Pramukh of Cuttack and the families from Bhubaneshwar was commendable.  The element of formality in the arrangements and their service was much less as compared to the expression of their selfless love and devotion.  Satgurudev gave his consent for the construction of a new Bhawan here which caused a wave of joy among the local devotees.

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